Tramping and mountain biking opportunities abound in these five Canterbury conservation parks, writes Pat Barrett
Canterbury's recent spate of earthquakes, shocking and tragic as they have been, should not deter recreationalists from taking the time to explore the regions magnificent natural heritage now reserved in a great series of high country parks. These parks, located at least 100km from Christchurch city, have sustained little, if any damage, and will also make a fine retreat from the ravaged city. With the addition of the Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, centred on the Two Thumb Range, Canterbury now boasts extraordinary scope for recreation in diversity of landform and environment. Much of this estate is barely two hours drive from Christchurch or Timaru, though it’ll take longer to reach Ahuriri and Ruataniwha parks in the south-west. Here’s a selection of the top five parks and some options on what to do there. Ruataniwha Conservation Park Ruataniwha straddles much of the watershed that feeds into Lake Ohau in the MacKenzie Basin At its centre are the Dobson and Hopkins, two large rivers that rise on the Main Divide and flow for over 50km to reach the lake. Several tributaries off the main valleys offer trips, notably the Huxley, Temple, and Maitland valleys, which together with the Hopkins and Dobson offer a variety of tramps, routes, and climbs. This is big country and most trips will require careful planning and knowledge of weather, snow and river conditions. There are many well maintained huts in the park, allowing for hut-to-hut trips, range traverses, mountain bike trips or just easy overnight alternatives to multi-day trips. Extended trans-alpine crossings can also be made outside of the park to the Landsborough Valley or into the adjacent Ahuriri Conservation Park. Of particular interest is the inclusion in the park of the eastern slopes of the Ben Ohau Range. This range borders Lake Pukaki and can be accessed from several points along the Mount Cook Road and from near Twizel. It offers climbs on peaks up to 2500m in the north as well as mountain biking trails and easy day walks around the southern section. Ohau Ski Field is also in the park. Recommended trips- Huxley Forks from the Hopkins River and explore the upper north and south branches of the Huxley
- An ascent can be made to Brodrick Pass on the Main Divide from the North Branch from where a descent could be made into the mid-Landsborough. Alternatively both Mt Strauchon and MacKenzie can be climbed from the pass
- The South Huxley has a high col from which the upper Ahuriri can be reached
- MTB enthusiasts can follow the Dusky Trail on the south-eastern slopes of the Ben Ohau Range with a possible extension of this route into Duncan Stream.

- Take the marked track into Canyon Creek and follow this to the valley head where a rough trail exists above bluffs to reach a bivvy rock beneath Mt Barth, which can also be climbed from here, as can Mt Heim
- Tramping parties will find an unmarked route over the range to the east taking them back to the Ahuriri Valley

- Follow the Te Araroa Trail from Bush Stream through to Royal Hut and Stag Pass and descend Camp Stream to the Lilybank Road at Lake Tekapo
- Alternatively, the Macaulay River can be walked or biked to the Macaulay Hut from where an alpine route exists through Upper Tindall Stream to a 1900m pass south of Mt Sibbald and a descent of North Branch to the Godley River
- Mt Sibbald can be climbed from Upper Tindall Stream.

- Cameron Hut in the Arrowsmith Range introduces trampers and climbers to some truly wild country in the central region of this diverse park and from here pass-hopping routes exist over to the South Ashburton or over Peg Col to Jagged Stream and the Rakaia Valley. This latter route would also allow parties to explore the upper Rakaia Valley and reach Lyell Hut
- The Taylor Range east of Lake Heron has numerous unmarked routes into former musterer’s huts and an ascent of Mt Taylor (2333m), the highest Canterbury foothill, from Double Hut.

- John Hayward Memorial Hut in the Kowai River, near the base of Porters Pass, makes a great day trip or weekend escape to explore the Torlesse Range. From here climbs can be made to The Gap, Castle Hill Peak, and Mt Torlesse
- A round trip taking in Mt Torlesse, Junction Peak, Red Peak and the upper Kowai could be made in a long day from the hut. It is also possible to cross the range to Broken River and the historic Avoca Homestead which is available for accommodation.